Cisco access point comparison

C9105AXI-E vs C9105AXW-E

A key difference between Cisco C9105AXI-E and C9105AXW-E is Antenna Design: C9105AXI-E — Internal omnidirectional antennas; C9105AXW-E — Internal antennas. They also differ in Ethernet Uplink (1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 PoE uplink vs 1 x 100/1000/2500BASE-T multigigabit RJ-45 PoE uplink) and Maximum Power Draw at PD (11 W vs 13 W). Consider how antenna design affects the deployment, then review the remaining differences before choosing the exact Product ID. The table below shows 41 specifications available for both models. Confirm licenses, accessories, power supplies and regional suffixes before ordering.

2models compared
41specs shown for every model
14differences found
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At-a-glance comparison

Key performance and configuration differences

Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.

Antenna Design
C9105AXI-E

Internal omnidirectional antennas

C9105AXW-E

Internal antennas

Ethernet Uplink
C9105AXI-E

1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 PoE uplink

C9105AXW-E

1 x 100/1000/2500BASE-T multigigabit RJ-45 PoE uplink

Wired LAN Downlink Ports
C9105AXI-E

Not applicable

C9105AXW-E

3 x 10/100/1000BASE-T LAN downlinks; LAN1 provides up to 10.5W PSE; 1 x passthrough port

Maximum Power Draw at PD
C9105AXI-E

11 W

C9105AXW-E

13 W

Product Type
C9105AXI-E

Cisco Catalyst 9105AXI indoor access point

C9105AXW-E

Cisco Catalyst 9105AXW wall-plate access point

2.4 GHz Antenna Gain
C9105AXI-E

4 dBi

C9105AXW-E

3 dBi

Buying decision

How to choose between C9105AXI-E and C9105AXW-E

Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.

  1. 01

    Radio and client design

    Compare Wi-Fi generation, radio chains, MIMO and spatial streams against the client mix, coverage and capacity plan.

  2. 02

    Antenna and installation

    Choose the antenna format and mounting style for the intended space, then confirm the regulatory-domain suffix.

  3. 03

    Uplink, PoE and management

    Check wired uplink speed, full-feature PoE requirements, controller support and minimum software before deployment.

Before ordering Confirm the exact Product ID, license tier, power supplies, accessories and regional requirements.
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Detailed comparison

Full specification comparison

Comparison parameter
Product ID C9105AXI-EC9105AXW-E
Product and ordering
Product TypeDifferent C9105AXI-E Cisco Catalyst 9105AXI indoor access point C9105AXW-E Cisco Catalyst 9105AXW wall-plate access point
Wireless radios and antennas
Wireless Standard C9105AXI-E Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax; backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) C9105AXW-E Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax; backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
Radio Design C9105AXI-E Dedicated dual-concurrent 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 2x2 radios C9105AXW-E Dedicated dual-concurrent 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 2x2 radios
MIMO Profile C9105AXI-E 2x2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams C9105AXW-E 2x2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams
Spatial Streams C9105AXI-E 2 C9105AXW-E 2
Maximum Aggregate PHY Rate C9105AXI-E 1.488 Gbps C9105AXW-E 1.488 Gbps
Antenna DesignDifferent C9105AXI-E Internal omnidirectional antennas C9105AXW-E Internal antennas
2.4 GHz Antenna GainDifferent C9105AXI-E 4 dBi C9105AXW-E 3 dBi
5 GHz Antenna Gain C9105AXI-E 5 dBi C9105AXW-E 5 dBi
External Antenna Connectors C9105AXI-E Not applicable C9105AXW-E Not applicable
Ports and interfaces
Ethernet UplinkDifferent C9105AXI-E 1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 PoE uplink C9105AXW-E 1 x 100/1000/2500BASE-T multigigabit RJ-45 PoE uplink
Wired LAN Downlink PortsDifferent C9105AXI-E Not applicable C9105AXW-E 3 x 10/100/1000BASE-T LAN downlinks; LAN1 provides up to 10.5W PSE; 1 x passthrough port
Console Ports C9105AXI-E 1 x RJ-45 management console C9105AXW-E 1 x RJ-45 management console
USB PortsDifferent C9105AXI-E Not applicable C9105AXW-E 1 x USB 2.0 interface with 4.5W output budget
PoE and power
PoE Input Options C9105AXI-E IEEE 802.3at PoE+, Cisco UPOE, AIR-PWRINJ6=, IEEE 802.3af PoE, or AIR-PWRINJ5= C9105AXW-E IEEE 802.3at PoE+, Cisco UPOE, AIR-PWRINJ6=, IEEE 802.3af PoE, or AIR-PWRINJ5=
Maximum Power Draw at PDDifferent C9105AXI-E 11 W C9105AXW-E 13 W
PoE Feature ModeDifferent C9105AXI-E 802.3af supports both 2x2 radios and 1G uplink operation C9105AXW-E 802.3af disables USB and LAN1 PSE; 802.3at enables either USB or LAN1 PSE
802.3af Feature ModeDifferent C9105AXI-E Both radios operate at 2x2; Ethernet uplink operates at 1 Gbps C9105AXW-E Both radios at 2x2 and 2.5G uplink; USB and LAN1 PSE disabled
802.3at Feature ModeDifferent C9105AXI-E Both radios operate at 2x2; Ethernet uplink operates at 1 Gbps C9105AXW-E Both radios at 2x2 and 2.5G uplink; either USB or LAN1 PSE enabled
802.3bt Feature Mode C9105AXI-E Not applicable C9105AXW-E Not applicable
Configuration, licensing and management
Supported Controllers C9105AXI-E Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series; Cisco 3504, 5520 and 8540; Cisco virtual WLC C9105AXW-E Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series; Cisco 3504, 5520 and 8540; Cisco virtual WLC
Management Model C9105AXI-E Controller-based CAPWAP or Embedded Wireless Controller capable platform C9105AXW-E Controller-based CAPWAP or Embedded Wireless Controller capable platform
Deployment Model C9105AXI-E Indoor controller-based or Embedded Wireless Controller deployment C9105AXW-E Indoor controller-based or Embedded Wireless Controller deployment
Software Support C9105AXI-E Cisco Unified Wireless Network 8.10 MR3 or later; Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or later C9105AXW-E Cisco Unified Wireless Network 8.10 MR3 or later; Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or later
Regulatory Domain C9105AXI-E -E regulatory domain; country approval must be verified C9105AXW-E -E regulatory domain; country approval must be verified
Bluetooth / IoT Radio C9105AXI-E Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy 5 radio C9105AXW-E Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy 5 radio
WLAN Security C9105AXI-E WPA3, WPA2, IEEE 802.1X, AES and supported EAP methods C9105AXW-E WPA3, WPA2, IEEE 802.1X, AES and supported EAP methods
Memory and software
Operating System C9105AXI-E Controller-managed Cisco wireless access-point software C9105AXW-E Controller-managed Cisco wireless access-point software
Minimum Software Release C9105AXI-E Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or Cisco Unified Wireless 8.10 MR3 C9105AXW-E Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or Cisco Unified Wireless 8.10 MR3
DRAM C9105AXI-E Not published by Cisco C9105AXW-E Not published by Cisco
Flash Memory C9105AXI-E Not published by Cisco C9105AXW-E Not published by Cisco
Physical and environmental
Dimensions (H × W × D)Different C9105AXI-E 30 × 150 × 150 mm C9105AXW-E 32.66 × 90 × 160 mm
WeightDifferent C9105AXI-E 0.33 kg C9105AXW-E 0.373 kg
Operating Temperature C9105AXI-E 0 to 50 °C C9105AXW-E 0 to 50 °C
Storage Temperature C9105AXI-E -30 to 70 °C C9105AXW-E -30 to 70 °C
Storage Humidity C9105AXI-E Not published by Cisco C9105AXW-E Not published by Cisco
Operating Humidity C9105AXI-E 10% to 90% C9105AXW-E 10% to 90%
Operating Altitude C9105AXI-E Up to 3,000 m C9105AXW-E Up to 3,000 m
MTBFDifferent C9105AXI-E 653,568 hours C9105AXW-E 701,904 hours
Warranty C9105AXI-E Limited lifetime hardware warranty C9105AXW-E Limited lifetime hardware warranty
MountingDifferent C9105AXI-E Ceiling mount with the purpose-designed bracket or desktop placement C9105AXW-E Wall-plate mount

“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.

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